ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 305781
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| Date: | Tuesday 10 January 2023 |
| Time: | 13:40 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Cadet |
| Owner/operator: | Smith Helicopters Inc |
| Registration: | N811S |
| MSN: | 30072 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2020 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 691 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming 0540F-1B5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Fowlerton, Texas -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Cotulla, TX (KPRI) |
| Cotulla, TX (KPRI) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that the flight's purpose was to guide cattle while at low altitude. During a turn with trees in the vicinity, the pilot heard a noise and felt a bump in the flight controls. The helicopter began to spin uncontrollably and impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor system, fuselage, and tail boom.
Examination revealed that the tail rotor gear box and tail rotor (TR) blades were separated from the helicopter. The gear box housing fracture surfaces were consistent with overload. The size/shape of the dents and tree debris lodged in the leading edge of the TR blades was consistent with the size/shape of the tree branches that were broken.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN23LA086
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=811S
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Jul-2023 10:59 | Nepa | Updated |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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